East Gwillimbury is at a critical juncture. With our population now approaching 43,000, we are witnessing unprecedented growth—and with that growth comes a need to support the services that keep our community safe. One area that demands attention is our fire department, and especially the brave frontline firefighters who protect us every day.

We are a town known for our sense of community. East Gwillimbury has always been a place where neighbours help neighbours, where we look out for one another in times of need. And now, more than ever, we need to extend that support to those who serve on the front lines—our firefighters. These frontline workers protect us, our homes, and our families, and it’s time we step up to protect them in return.

Currently, we rely on a dedicated team of 20 full-time firefighters, supported by paid-on-call firefighters. While these frontline workers have served us admirably, the rising number of emergency calls, coupled with the town’s rapid expansion, makes it clear: we must act to ensure our frontline firefighters have the support they need to support our community.

The Time to Act is Now – For Our Frontline Workers

We are facing the highest number of emergency calls in the history of East Gwillimbury. This is not a future concern—it’s happening today, and our frontline heroes are feeling the strain the most. Every moment we delay in expanding our full-time firefighter force increases the likelihood that response times will suffer.

Our firefighters are stretched thin, responding to emergencies at all hours, often handling multiple incidents simultaneously. While our paid-on-call fighters are invaluable, we need to provide the resources and staffing necessary to protect our community—and to protect them from burnout.

Supporting Our Firefighters During Multiple Emergencies

Whether it’s a fire, a medical emergency, or a hazardous situation, the ability of our firefighters to respond quickly is critical. But without expanding our full-time team, we are placing an undue burden on those who are already giving everything they have. We need to ensure our frontline workers have the staffing, resources, and support to do their jobs safely and effectively.

A Fire Hall Without Frontline Support is an Empty Promise

The Town of East Gwillimbury’s capital budget outlines plans for a fourth fire hall in the near future. But any fire hall without enough full-time firefighters to staff it is an empty promise. We cannot ask our frontline workers to step into an additional facility and take on even more responsibility without the support they currently need in the existing three fire halls.

Our firefighters are committed to keeping this community safe, but commitment alone isn’t enough. They need the support of their community and local government to expand their ranks and meet the growing demands of East Gwillimbury.  The time to start building capacity is today.

Conclusion: No More Waiting – Support Our Frontline Working Heroes

We are at a crossroads. The decisions we make today will determine whether East Gwillimbury is ready to face the challenges of tomorrow. The need to invest in more full-time firefighters is no longer a long-term goal—it is a pressing, immediate necessity.

East Gwillimbury has always been a caring community, a place where neighbours help neighbours, and now we have the opportunity, and now we must come together as a community to support our frontline workers. Expanding our fire department isn’t just about maintaining response times; it’s about saving lives and protecting those who protect us.

The time to act is now. Let’s show our frontline working heroes that we stand with them and are committed to ensuring they have the resources they need to keep us safe.